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The Plains of Triangles. Undiscovered land. With nothing but a cart full of milestones and a group of builders we set out to bring civilization to the uninhabitet land. We’re not really going anywhere, but we put the infrastructure in place for the people that come after us, that will settle the Plains of Triangles and will go somewhere.

In 2050, running a global enterprise isn’t an easy job. Profit is still the top priority, of course, but because of government regulation and consumer behavior, you can no longer ignore sustainability issues. You either take care of the environment, of your employees and of society as a whole, or all the profits in the world won’t save your company. Balance between those concerns is not always easy, but if you run your company well it’s possible.

Metropolys – easily recognised as one of Ystari’s games by the trademark Y – is an auction game with not too complex rules but some interesting scoring trade-offs. It also features a very unique and appealing artistic style.

Move to Italy, by a vineyard, grow wine, that’s not a plan that appeals to me. But put the same thing in a boardgame and suddenly I’m interested. Viticulture is a classic worker placement game about running a vineyard, from growing to selling wine, while giving tours and entertaining visitors on the side.

The stars have aligned again to allow the Great Old Ones, beings of such immense power that we are like insects to them, to stir in their slumber. Their cultists, madmen who would do anything for power, may be able to awaken them. Only a few people, those who stumbled upon their conspiracy by accident, may still be able to stop them. With no help from the rest of the world, for who would believe their tales, they must try to prevent the end of the world.

Eselsbrücke is one of this year’s nominees for the Spiel des Jahres award. It’s a memory game with a fun mechanic, and really quite taxing for your memory. But is that enough to win the prestigous award?